Information for
implant suppliers

NJR component database

The NJR component database was upgraded to a new implant classification back in 2020. Detailed implant data remains of critical importance to the NJR in order to support ongoing analysis and safety monitoring and we are thankful to those industry representatives who submitted their data.

System enhancements introduced in June 2025:

Component database:

The database was updated to allow up to 5 GTINs to be associated with a component catalogue number.

Uploading implant classification details

The NJR component database was upgraded to a new implant classification back in 2020. This was the classification structure that was agreed upon and developed by NJR and EPRD with industry representation and in many cases required the provision of additional attribute data associated with each implant. Detailed implant data remains of critical importance to the NJR in order to support ongoing analysis and safety monitoring and we are thankful to those industry representatives who have now submitted the requested data.

Some suppliers still have to upload their required implant attribute detail and in recognising the importance of this data, we kindly request that those hip and knee implants registered in the NJR component database have all the relevant data uploaded. Please check and add anything that is still missing.

We are pleased to share that we had entered into an agreement with ISAR, so that this classification will also form the basis of the International Prosthesis Library. AdvaMed is supportive of the classification and of registry databases being completed with the required implant attributes. Therefore all industry implant suppliers are requested to ensure they populate the new classification with the required implant data.

Completion of the new classification enables us to provide several additional reporting opportunities and other benefits including additional analysis. This includes those outlined below:

• Enhancement of NJR Supplier Feedback will enable greater analysis opportunities within NJR reporting services. Some examples of this include:
  • Differentiation of the types of polyethylene, such as highly cross-linked polyethylene and conventional polyethylene.
  • The ability to compare similar devices based on additional layers of attribute data, such as materials and coatings.
    
• Regulatory requirements (EU MDR):
  • The granularity of the classification supports device manufacturers with EU MDR requirements by permitting the NJR to produce standard reports at the appropriate variant level, rather than brand-level reporting.
    
• Facilitates Registry classification harmonisation
  • Supports medical device manufacturers with global registry requirements for ongoing harmonisation efforts between global registries to utilise the same implant classification structure by easing the burden of multiple registry data entries. The classification structure is supported by ISAR.

It is imperative that those hip and knee implants that are registered in the NJR component database include all relevant data.

We will now report exclusively against the new classification structure for all Supplier Feedback outputs – including both reports and data files. The quality of reporting that we are able to provide is dependent on the quality of the data that has been added by implant suppliers.

Regulatory requirements (EU MDR):

• Standard NJR report production methodology changes could be limited and the reports might not be produced in a MDR ready format, e.g. construct/variant level reporting would be based on NJR implant characteristics at a more granular level.

Please share this information widely within your organisation as appropriate. For all enquiries and/or for support relating to this matter, please contact Edward Caton at: edward.caton@necsws.com

NJR Minimum Data Set (MDSv8)

MDSv8 data collection forms available to download on the website here

In 2023 we went through an exercise to review the developments we need to implement to enable us to update the MDS and we are pleased to advise that the registry data entry system was then updated for input of the new procedures contained in the new MDSv8 forms.

Since the National Joint Registry (NJR) was launched in 2002, we have periodically reviewed and updated the Minimum Data Set (MDS) to ensure that we are capturing data relevant to contemporary joint replacement practice and can achieve our objectives to monitor the quality and safety of orthopaedic services. The last review of our data collection, prior to the introduction of MDSv8 in 2023, took place in 2017/2018 and there had been many progressive advancements in surgical procedures since then, so the 2023 review took place to capture many of these.

More information on the changes in MDSv8 and hospital checklist here:

There is a Supplier Feedback User Guide available in the Resources section of the system, you can also find it on the left-hand side of this page.

Should you encounter any problems in accessing the system, please get in touch with the NJR Service Desk. If you are not a current subscriber to Supplier Feedback and would like further information regarding access to the reports or wish to review your current level of access to the activity reports, please do get in touch with us at the NJR Service Desk – email: enquiries@njrcentre.org.uk or phone: 0800 0150167.